Nail Guns are the most common form of timber joining systems in use today.
There are 3 main types:
1. The pneumatic nailer
2. The combustion nailer
3. The electromagnetic nailer.
Make sure the nails are the correct type for the nailer and the work to be done.
Types of nailers by size
Bradders/Pinners/Staplers -
These nail guns are used for attaching glazing beads, light mouldings, panelling, trims, picture frames, cane furniture, fixing out, shopfitting, furniture manufacture, cabinet making, door and window trims and upholstery. (light building, craft, hobby work)
Brad nailer
Strip Nailers (Framing gun)-
These nail guns are used for framing, roofing, trusses, joists, flooring, decking, steel framing and temporary nailing to green concrete. (general all-round building work).
Strip Nailer
‘T’ and Finish Nailers (Fix-out gun)-
These nail guns are used for door and window frames, smooth-edge strips for carpets, timber to light gauge steel, flooring, window manufacture and box making.
Corrugated Nailers -
These nail guns are used for butt-jointing timber, truss fixing, door-frame manufacture and furniture assembly. (simple joint connection work)
Coil Nailers -
These nail guns are used for trip-L-grip fixing, ply bracing, fencing, joist hangers, cladding, steel flooring, internal steel framing, sub-flooring, treated pine lattice, crate/pallet/box manufacture and fencing. (repetitive strong work)
Nail Coil
Advantages:
• No waste material around head of nail after nailing;
• Cleaner, better looking jobs.
• Ideal for visually exposed work such as decking;
• Ensures positive delivery of the nail every time.
STRIP NAILS
Generally limited to larger nails such as those used for construction framing. The lower load volumes of the strip nailers generally result in a lower weight tool, roviding ease of use on building sites.
Strip nails
Advantages:
• This system enables round headed nails to be collated for Duo-Fast strip nailers;
• Useful for applications where round headed nails are required.
NAIL COATINGS
A standard polymer or glue coating is applied to the nail shank. This coating performs two functions:
• Reduces driving force to enable fasteners to be driven, using less energy, or be driven deeper.
• Greatly increases resistance to withdrawal, in some cases by as much as 50%. PLATED FINISHES
Plated finishes are provided where the nails will be exposed to the elements, acids or reaction with other materials, which will lead to corrosion of the nails. Zinc Plated Wire (also known as galvanised or galvanised wire)
• Simplest and cheapest method to reduce corrosion;
• Identified by a bright silver finish on heads and points;
• Coating thickness is 2 to 3 microns of zinc;
• Used on most brads and staples. Electroplate (also known as EP, ZP, Zinc plate, Electro galvanising)
• Extremely common and economic method of providing moderate corrosion resistance;
• Identified by a lustrous silver or gold finish;
• Coating thickness is 6 to 9 microns of zinc. Dacrotised
• Polymer coating used to bond zinc flakes to the nail surface;
• Identified as a dullish silver-white finish;
• Typically used for internal steel framing, sub-flooring and internal fixing. Hot Dipped Galvanised (also known as just galvanised)
• Most widely accepted method of providing long term corrosion resistance to metallic objects.
• Identified by a dull grey colour and a rough texture;
• Typical coating thickness is 40 microns. Galvanised and Dacrotised
• Nails are first galvanised, then dacrotised;
• Typically used for external applications such as fences, decks and fascias. Mechanically Galvanised (also known as mechanical plated)
• Highly effective method of providing long term corrosion resistance, whilst maintaining a high quality appearance and finish.
• Nails are coated with 25 microns of 75% zinc and 25% tin;
• Suitable for use with timber treated with CCA (Copper, Chromium and Arsenic salts);
• Identified by a dull grey olive finish and a smoother texture than hot dipped galvanising. Stainless Steel
• Nails and/or staples are manufactured from stainless steel;
• Used for extreme environments where corrosion resistance is essential. POWER SOURCE for NAIL GUNS
Nailers are operated by two main methods;
1. Compressed air
2. Impulse fuel cell Compressed Air
Consists of a portable air compressor and hoses to deliver air under pressure.
It is critical to use the correct oil to ensure long term operation of the compressor and ensure that the moisture removal system is appropriate for the system being used. Selection of an Appropriate Air Compressor
The following should be considered before the compressor is purchased:
• Add up the air requirements for all the air operated tools/devices to be used.
• Refer to the manufacturers data/tables to verify the capacity of the compressor
required to operate the necessary tools;
• For general power tools use, a reciprocating type would be suitable and
for continuous operation a rotary type would be used. Impulse Fuel Cell
Fuel cells consist of compressed liquefied gas, which is flammable. They are normally available in packs of two (2) and used in conjunction
with a re-chargeable battery. Typically, the red cells are used for framing nailers and the yellow cells for finish nailers.
gas cylinder
SAFE OPERATION AND USE OF PNEUMATIC NAILERSTo use nail guns CORRECTLY and SAFELY you MUST:
• Review the owner’s manual carefully;
• Receive instruction from someone who is familiar with it’s safe operation;
• Always wear safety glasses and ear muffs/plugs;
• Do not hold the trigger down unless about to fire, especially when descending ladders;
• Keep area clear of other workers where possible and exercise extreme care around
other workers if they are in the area;
• Never point the tool at anyone. The tool should be treated like a firearm, i.e. never
assume its empty;
• Disconnect the air hose before clearing a jam or making adjustments;
• Do not fire the tool unless the nose is pressed firmly against the timber;
• Only use compressed air with the power tool, not bottled gas;
• Keep your free hand safely out of the way during use;
• Do not operate the tool around flammables;
• Nail top to bottom, when nailing wall sheeting in a vertical position;
• When nailing tile battens work from the bottom up to the ridge, to prevent accidental
walking off the edge of the roof;
• Move forward, not backward, when nailing horizontal areas;
• Secure the hose when working on scaffolding, to prevent the weight of the hose from dragging the tool off the scaffold, when placed
on the platform, and
• Never direct air streams at any exposed part of the body or body openings, as this may lead to serious injury or even death.
There are 3 main types:
1. The pneumatic nailer
2. The combustion nailer
3. The electromagnetic nailer.
Typical pnuematic nailer:
To find out how these guns operate followin this link to the Howstuffworks website
http://home.howstuffworks.com/nail-gun.htm
The most important points are;
1.
- Always wear eye and hearing protecting
- Never point the nailer at anybody
- Never disable the safety mechanism
- Follow manufactures maintenance instructions.
- Make sure the nails are the correct type for the nailer and the work to be done.
Types of nailers by sizeBradders/Pinners/Staplers -
These nail guns are used for attaching glazing beads, light mouldings, panelling, trims, picture frames, cane furniture, fixing out, shopfitting, furniture manufacture, cabinet making, door and window trims and upholstery. (light building, craft, hobby work)
Strip Nailers (Framing gun)-
These nail guns are used for framing, roofing, trusses, joists, flooring, decking, steel framing and temporary nailing to green concrete. (general all-round building work).
‘T’ and Finish Nailers (Fix-out gun)-
These nail guns are used for door and window frames, smooth-edge strips for carpets, timber to light gauge steel, flooring, window manufacture and box making.
Corrugated Nailers -
These nail guns are used for butt-jointing timber, truss fixing, door-frame manufacture and furniture assembly. (simple joint connection work)
Coil Nailers -
These nail guns are used for trip-L-grip fixing, ply bracing, fencing, joist hangers, cladding, steel flooring, internal steel framing, sub-flooring, treated pine lattice, crate/pallet/box manufacture and fencing. (repetitive strong work)
Advantages:
• No waste material around head of nail after nailing;
• Cleaner, better looking jobs.
• Ideal for visually exposed work such as decking;
• Ensures positive delivery of the nail every time.
STRIP NAILS
Generally limited to larger nails such as those used for construction framing. The lower load volumes of the strip nailers generally result in a lower weight tool, roviding ease of use on building sites.
Advantages:
• This system enables round headed nails to be collated for Duo-Fast strip nailers;
• Useful for applications where round headed nails are required.
NAIL COATINGS
A standard polymer or glue coating is applied to the nail shank. This coating performs two functions:• Reduces driving force to enable fasteners to be driven, using less energy, or be driven deeper.
• Greatly increases resistance to withdrawal, in some cases by as much as 50%.
PLATED FINISHES
Plated finishes are provided where the nails will be exposed to the elements, acids or reaction with other materials, which will lead to corrosion of the nails.
Zinc Plated Wire (also known as galvanised or galvanised wire)
• Simplest and cheapest method to reduce corrosion;
• Identified by a bright silver finish on heads and points;
• Coating thickness is 2 to 3 microns of zinc;
• Used on most brads and staples.
Electroplate (also known as EP, ZP, Zinc plate, Electro galvanising)
• Extremely common and economic method of providing moderate corrosion resistance;
• Identified by a lustrous silver or gold finish;
• Coating thickness is 6 to 9 microns of zinc.
Dacrotised
• Polymer coating used to bond zinc flakes to the nail surface;
• Identified as a dullish silver-white finish;
• Typically used for internal steel framing, sub-flooring and internal fixing.
Hot Dipped Galvanised (also known as just galvanised)
• Most widely accepted method of providing long term corrosion resistance to metallic objects.
• Identified by a dull grey colour and a rough texture;
• Typical coating thickness is 40 microns.
Galvanised and Dacrotised
• Nails are first galvanised, then dacrotised;
• Typically used for external applications such as fences, decks and fascias.
Mechanically Galvanised (also known as mechanical plated)
• Highly effective method of providing long term corrosion resistance, whilst maintaining a high quality appearance and finish.
• Nails are coated with 25 microns of 75% zinc and 25% tin;
• Suitable for use with timber treated with CCA (Copper, Chromium and Arsenic salts);
• Identified by a dull grey olive finish and a smoother texture than hot dipped galvanising.
Stainless Steel
• Nails and/or staples are manufactured from stainless steel;
• Used for extreme environments where corrosion resistance is essential.
POWER SOURCE for NAIL GUNS
Nailers are operated by two main methods;
1. Compressed air
2. Impulse fuel cell
Compressed Air
Consists of a portable air compressor and hoses to deliver air under pressure.
It is critical to use the correct oil to ensure long term operation of the compressor and ensure that the moisture removal system is appropriate for the system being used.
Selection of an Appropriate Air Compressor
The following should be considered before the compressor is purchased:
• Add up the air requirements for all the air operated tools/devices to be used.
• Refer to the manufacturers data/tables to verify the capacity of the compressor
required to operate the necessary tools;
• For general power tools use, a reciprocating type would be suitable and
for continuous operation a rotary type would be used.
Impulse Fuel Cell
Fuel cells consist of compressed liquefied gas, which is flammable. They are normally available in packs of two (2) and used in conjunction
with a re-chargeable battery. Typically, the red cells are used for framing nailers and the yellow cells for finish nailers.
SAFE OPERATION AND USE OF PNEUMATIC NAILERSTo use nail guns CORRECTLY and SAFELY you MUST:• Review the owner’s manual carefully;
• Receive instruction from someone who is familiar with it’s safe operation;
• Always wear safety glasses and ear muffs/plugs;
• Do not hold the trigger down unless about to fire, especially when descending ladders;
• Keep area clear of other workers where possible and exercise extreme care around
other workers if they are in the area;
• Never point the tool at anyone. The tool should be treated like a firearm, i.e. never
assume its empty;
• Disconnect the air hose before clearing a jam or making adjustments;
• Do not fire the tool unless the nose is pressed firmly against the timber;
• Only use compressed air with the power tool, not bottled gas;
• Keep your free hand safely out of the way during use;
• Do not operate the tool around flammables;
• Nail top to bottom, when nailing wall sheeting in a vertical position;
• When nailing tile battens work from the bottom up to the ridge, to prevent accidental
walking off the edge of the roof;
• Move forward, not backward, when nailing horizontal areas;
• Secure the hose when working on scaffolding, to prevent the weight of the hose from dragging the tool off the scaffold, when placed
on the platform, and
• Never direct air streams at any exposed part of the body or body openings, as this may lead to serious injury or even death.